Position Summary: The Center for Community Alternatives (CCA) is a leader in the field of community-based alternatives to incarceration. Our mission is to promote reintegrative justice and a reduced reliance on incarceration through advocacy, services and public policy development in pursuit of civil and human rights. The mission of

CCA’s Youth Services is to deepen the connections between young people and their communities through transformative justice services and creative youth spaces. Our flagship Seeds to Roots Youth Center is a community-building space for youth in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. Through mentoring, career access and leadership programs, we ensure young people have the relationships, skills and opportunities to build safe and healthy communities.

CCA is seeking a qualified youth development professional to support young people 16-24 years old at our Seeds to Roots Center in securing vocational training and sustained employment in order to reach their career goals.

Direct Supervisor: Senior Director of Community Programs

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Complete a comprehensive and ongoing assessment of employment and vocational training needs based on youth and stakeholder feedback and identify potential employment and educational partners in line with assessment.

• Build a diverse network of employers interested in training and hiring youth engaged in CCA’s community-based programs; help employers understand the benefits of hiring youth impacted by the criminal legal system.

• Seek out diverse and creative employment partners to increase opportunities for youth including building partnerships with other nonprofits, youth-serving organizations, temp, seasonal and summer employment opportunities as well as paid training and internship opportunities.

• Clarify eligibility criteria with employment partners; utilize data on eligibility requirements to inform work readiness curriculum and coaching sessions with young people.

• Support Employment Mentors in facilitating work readiness workshops to support youth in developing resumes, completing mock interviews, and attaining interview clothes and documentation; coordinate a team of volunteers and interns to provide youth with individualized support in preparing for employment.

• Develop and expand connections with educational program partners including HSE, certification, vocational and college access programs citywide.

• Research viable Career Pathways for youth based on their interests and skills, market research and available opportunities with employment partners; develop curricula and resource materials to assist youth in assessing their strengths and interests and learning more about career resources.

• Provide opportunities for youth to learn about career paths through the development of regular informational workshops, video content, social media, etc.; support youth in connecting with peer and industry representatives as well as career mentors.

• Work with youth and stakeholders to update career plans; develop Career Action Plans and Skills Passports with youth to capture strengths, interests, and experience; engage existing program staff and contracted providers to support in this effort.

• Develop relationships with subcontracted, grassroots partner organizations through our NextGen Reentry Network; provide Reentry Mentors and youth with detailed information about employment opportunities.

• Participate in monthly and quarterly NextGen in-service trainings to ensure our partner organizations and Reentry Mentors have access to resources to support youth with employment and education

• Build excellent working relationships with employment stakeholders including but not limited to city and statewide employment coalitions, employment agencies and relevant government agencies

• Enroll youth in NextGen Reentry program and match Reentry Mentors to youth based on interests and geographic location; develop opportunities for Reentry Mentors and youth to connect pre-release

· Manage internal and external reporting obligations to funders and direct supervisor and input

· Input and track participant’s status in internal and external database management systems.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, youth development, social work or other related field degree preferred, Masters’ degree a plus

• Lived experience in the criminal legal system highly desirable

• 3-5 years’ experience developing employment and vocational training partnerships and placing youth in job opportunities required

• At least 3 years’ experience in youth development and work readiness program implementation and facilitation required

• Experience working with justice-involved youth and/or in a detention facility is highly desirable

• Demonstrated experience implementing positive youth development, restorative and trauma-informed best practices

• Excellent networking, writing and organizational skills

• Strong interpersonal and team building skills

At CCA, we are committed to fair transparent pay, and we strive to provide competitive market-informed compensation. The successful candidate's salary is determined by the combination of knowledge, skills, competencies, experience, and geography.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT COVER LETTER WITH RESUME.

Center for Community Alternatives

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Employment and Training Placement Specialist